camera

¹

[ kam-er-uh, kam-ruh ]

noun

1. a device for capturing a photographic image or recording a video, using film or digital memory.
2. (in a television transmitting apparatus) the device in which the picture to be televised is formed before it is changed into electric impulses.

adjective

1. Printing. camera-ready.

camera

²

[ kam-er-uh ]

noun

, plural cam·er·ae [kam, -, uh, -ree].

1. a judge's private office.

camera

/ ˈkæmrə; ˈkæmərə /

noun

1. an optical device consisting of a lens system set in a light-proof construction inside which a light-sensitive film or plate can be positioned See also cine camera digital camera
2. television the equipment used to convert the optical image of a scene into the corresponding electrical signals
3. See camera obscura
4. -erae-əˌriː a judge's private room
5. in camera
   1. law relating to a hearing from which members of the public are excluded
   2. in private
6. off camera
   not within an area being filmed
7. on camera
   (esp of an actor) being filmed

Word History and Origins

Origin of camera¹

First recorded in 1730–40; shortening of camera obscura ( def ); 1840-45 camera ¹fordef 1; utimately from Latin camera “vaulted room, vault”; see camera ²( def )

Origin of camera²

First recorded in 1630–40; for earlier sense “vaulted room,” from Latin, from Greek kamára “vault, vaulted room”; see chamber ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of camera¹

C18: from Latin: vault, from Greek kamara

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in camera,
   1. Law. in the privacy of a judge's chambers.
   2. privately.
2. off camera,
   1. out of the range of a video camera, as a television or motion picture camera:

      The stunt woman was waiting just off camera for her cue to enter the scene.

   2. (of an actor) in one’s private rather than professional life:

      The two co-stars are best friends off camera.

3. on camera, being filmed or televised by a live camera:

   Be sure to look alert when you are on camera.

Example Sentences

But the very first people White thanked from the Mar-a-Lago stage last week, with the newly minted president-elect looking approvingly over his shoulder and the cameras beaming him around the world, were the Nelk Boys.

From Salon

Summarising the case, the judge Mr Justice McFarland said that, according to a police camera that recorded the incident, it was a 30-second attack involving five men.

From BBC

Another showed men smiling to the camera as they pointed to at least a dozen others on a boat travelling rapidly over the water.

From BBC

Still, she enjoyed the experience of transforming herself, including cutting her hair on camera and improvising scenes with her co-stars.

From Los Angeles Times

On the other hand, AR smart glasses display information on a small screen within the lenses and are equipped with cameras and microphones for hands-free data collection.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• camcorder